Staple driving machine



June 13, 1950 R. E. PETERSON STAPLE DRIVING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 51, 1947 Patented June 13, 1950 STAPLE DRIVING MACHINE Roy E. Peterson, Norwalk, Conn, assignor to The H- lf tchk ss Company, No wa k. Corns a co pora ion o Delawa Application March 31, 1947, Serial N0. 738,367

This invention relates to a staple driving machine, and particularly to the type of stapler which will drive and clinch the staples in the work, and has for an object to provide a construction which can be incorporated in a staple driving machine of a very small, compact construction. In fact, it can be made of a construction which is no larger or heavier than the common type of cigarette lighter, and can, there!- fore, be readily carried in a handbag or vest pocket, or the like.

Another object is to provide a structure in which the operation of loading the staples into the machine is greatly simplified, and which does not require the removal of any of the parts.

Another object is to provide a staple driving machine of this type which is very'simple, and is easy to operate, it being merely necessary to in? sert the parts to be stapled and then press the device with a simple hand operation. a

A still further object is to provide a stapling machine which not only may be readily carried in the pocket or handbag, for example, but

particularly adapted for efiecting temporary repairs on various articles as garments, for ex- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine on an enlarged scale;

Fig. Zisa front, view thereof; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the device; Fig'. 4 is a longitudinal section just inside th side wall of the machine with some ofthe parts broken away to more clearly show the construc.-- tion, and showing the partsin the normal posi' tion of operation;

- Fig. 5 is a detail section substantially on the line, 5-:5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 4 of the rear portion of the machine showing the staple feed follower retracted;

Fig. 7 is a similar section showing the follower raised or removed from the staple g-uide'to per? 3 Cl ms.

or disengagement mit h d n o a stapl strip n o he mah ne;

F g 8 and 9 are sections sub tan allr on 8-8 and are respective y of Fi 4;

Fig is a. top p an view with the operating lever removed;

F ss- 11.1.2, 13 and n are a si e, top, and. onpos teend views. re pectively of the base or anvi arryin member. and

Fiss- 15. 6.. 17; 8. and a e a side. top, be

orn a d. op os te end iew respe ve y of h staple id member.

The sc le of igs..- .12 o 9 i su stantially r s lfi SiZ The device comprises a housing 1, including outer and inner casings 2 and 3. The outer cas ing comprises an upright front wall 4 and two laterally spaced rearwardly extending side walls 5. The inner casing '3 comprises an upright rear wall 6 and laterally spaced side walls I, this innor casing beingenclosed within the outer casing with its side walls I at the inner sides of the side walls 5 of the outer casing. The two casings are open at the top and closed by an operating lever 8, preferably of substantially inverted U shape in cross section, including the top wall 9, side walls l0 embracing and located at the outer sides of the side walls 5, and a front end Wall II. This lever is pivotally mounted adjacent the rear 7 end thereof in the housing by a transverse pin l2, and the rear end portion of the top wall 9 in normal position engages the top edges of the side walls 5 and I, as indicated at 5a and la, and upper end l3 of the rear wall 6, to limit upward movement of the lever B.

Mounted in the lower portion of the housing is a staple guide means M. This includes the staple guide bar l5 which is preferably of substantially U-shape with the space between the side walls I 6 closed at the rear end of the bar by a filler block 11. On the under side of this bar, also at the rear end portions thereof, is a supporting member l8 which is of substantially inverted U shape and somewhat wider than the bar I5, this member l8 being a mounting for the bar between the side walls 5 of the outer casing, the greater width of the supporting member [8 spacing the side walls It of the guide bar from the side walls 5 to provide a space IQ for the prongs of the staples 20, and the sides of the substantially inverted U- shaped follower 2|. The guide bar I5 is secured to the support I 8 by any suitable means, such, for example, as spot welding 22, rivets, or any other suitable means. The-lower edges of the rear portions of the side walls 5 of the outer casing are extended downwardly, as shown at 23, to provide ears between which the member I8 is mounted by any suitable means such as the cross pins or rivets 24 and 24a, and this, therefore, supports the staple guide bar IS in the lower part of the housing. Th lower edges 25 of the side walls 1 of the inner casing stop a short distance above the top edges of the side walls l6 of the staple guide, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, to provide clearance for the top connecting bar of the staples and also the top wall of the inverted U-shaped follower 2|. At the rear end portion each of these walls is provided with an upwardly extending notch 26, for a purpose presently to be described. The lower edges 25 of these side walls form a top guide for the staple strip 20 and the follower 2| to retain them on the staple guide l4.

The front wall 4 of the housing is spaced forwardly from the front end of the staple guide bar l5 and the forward edges 21 of the side walls 1 of the inner casing to form a guideway for a vertically reciprocable staple driver 28, and at the lower end of this guideway form a raceway for the forward staple 28a to be driven. This driver 28 is preferably a flat strip of steel normally positioned with its lower end 29 spaced a short distance above the forward staple 28a, and with its upper end 30 resting against the under side of the top wall 8 of the operating lever 8. A lug 3| is lanced and bent backwardly from this driver to receive the forward loop 32 of a spring 33 supported in the housing by looping over transverse pin 34, and the free ends of the other arms 35 resting against a transverse pin 36. This spring is tensioned so that it tends to lift the staple driver 28 to raise it to its upper position of Fig.

4, and with it the operating lever 8. this movement being limited by the rear endof the top wall of the lever engaging the top end |3 of the upright rear wall 6 and top edge portions 111. and 5a of the side walls 1 and 5 of the casings.

A novel improved means is provided for advancing the follower 2| to the staple strip 28 along the staple guide bar |5 to bring the staples successively to the forward end of this bar under the lower end of the driver 28 and into driving position. This comprises a member or lever 31 having a down-turned end pivotally connected at 38 to the follower 2|. It may be connected by a substantially U-shaped member 39 secured to the top of the follower 2| by any suitable means, such, for example, as spot welding 48. At its opposite end the member 31 is pivoted at 4| to one end of the second member or lever 42, the other end 43 of this lever or member being preferably rounded and seating on top of the block l1 and resting against the lower portion of the rear upright wall 6, forming an abutment or holding means for the free end of this member. This member may be of any suitable shape, but is preferably of substantially U-shape in cross section to provide side walls 44 between which the member 31 is pivoted, and a connecting wall 45 to form a rest for one end portion 46 of a spring 41 which is looped over the connecting pivot 4| at 48 and engages under the member 31 at 49. This spring being tensioned tends to swing the members 31 and 42 about their connecting pivot 4| and, therefore, as the free end 43 of the member 42 is held stationary, it tends to swing the free end of the member 31 forwardly and to slide the follower 2| along the guide bar l5 to feed the staples forwardly along this bar to the driving position under the driver 28.

In each of the opposite side walls of the housing is a substantially L-shaped slot 58 including a substantially horizontal or slightly curved portion 5| and an upright angular portion 52. Mounted in an intermediate portion of the member 31 is a finger grip comprising a pair of heads or knobs 53 on the outer side walls of the housing and connected by a transverse rod or pin 54 mounted in the member 31 and extending through the slots 50. This forms a guide means for the member 31 during forward movement of the follower 2|, but especially forms a retracting means for the follower 2| to permit loading of a new staple strip onto the guide means M or specifically the guide bar l5. When the staples have been exhausted and the operator wishes to load a new strip of staples in the machine, he grips the two heads or knobs 53 of the finger grip in any suitable manner, such, for example, with his thumb and first finger on opposite sides of the casing, and slides them rearwardly in the curved or horizontal portions 5| of the slots 50 to the rear as far as they will go. This brings the parts to substantially the position of Fig. 6, shifting the follower 2| rearwardly on the guide bar I5 to the rear end of this bar, as shown in Fig. 6. This is permitted by the two members 31 and 42 swin ing together about their connecting pivot 4|, the member 42 being held by the rear upright wall 6, and as the two members fold together somewhat like a jack-knife, as shown in Fig. 6, this brings the follower 2| under the recesses or notches 28 in the lower edges of the side walls 1 of the inner casing, and also brings the transverse pin 54 carrying the knobs or heads 53 of the finger grip into alignment with the lower ends of the upright slots 52. Then, by lifting this finger grip upwardly, this pin 54 will slide upwardly in the portions 52 of the slots and will carry the pivotally connected members 31 and 42 with it, the rearward member 42 sliding on the inner surface of the upright wall 5. This brings the parts to the position of Fig. '7, and it will be seen that the operation of raising the members 31 and 42 lifts the staple feed follower 2| from the staple guide bar l5 and carries it above this bar into the recesses or notches 26. This, therefore, removes the follower from the staple guide bar l5 and permits the operator to insert a new staple strip onto this bar at the rear end |5a thereof and pass it under the follower to a position forwardly of the follower. Then by reversing the movement of the finger grip members 53, the follower 2| and the members 31 and 42 are shifted downwardly to the position of Fig. 6, again replacing the follower 2| on' the guide bar l5 to the rear of the staple strip. Then, when released, the spring 41 swings the member 31 forwardly and carries pin 54 along the horizontal portions of the slots 50 and shifts the follower 2| forwardly to feed or advance the staples to the stapling position.

If only just this much of the device is used, it can be used as a tacker to drive the staples into the work to tack a tag, for example, to a wooden member or the like, but if the device is to be used as a stapler to clinch the staples in the work by folding over the prongs of the staples, then an anvil 55 is provided under the forward staple 20a to fold over and clinch the prongs of the staple after it is driven through the work. In this construction this comprises a substantially U-shaped base or lever member 56 mounted under the lower edge of the housing and normally spaced from this lower edge, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, for insertion of the work pieces, indicated in dotted lines at 51; For folding over and clinching the prongs, the anvil block 55 is provided with the usual form. of curved recesses 58 under the staple driver, which may act to fold the prongs in. either direction for the clinching operation, depending on the shape and location of these recesses. The block 55 may be secured to the member 56 by any suitable means, such, for example, as spot welding 59. member 56 is pivotally connected to the housing, and particularly the downwardly extending wings or lugs 23, by means of a transverse'pin 60, the rear end portion of the side walls of the member 56 being extended upwardly, as shown at 6|, to embrace the opposite side walls of the housing, and specifically the upright side walls of the outer casing. This member or lever 56 is normally held with its forward end and the anvil 55 spaced from the lower edge of the staple guide bar l5 by means of a spring 52, including an intermediate loop 53 about the transverse pin 24a, and with its opposite free arms 64 and 65 engaging the top wall of the member l8 and the connecting bottom wall 66 of the member 56, forwardly of the pivot 5!], so as to tend to swing the member 56 downwardly with its forward end spaced from the lower side of the staple guide bar, this movement being limited by the lower edges 61 of the side cars 23 engaging the bottom wall 66 of the member 55.

In use of the device, assuming staples have already been loaded into the machine, the work to be sta'pledis inserted between the top of the lower hinged member 56 and the under side of the staple bar 15 and the lower edge of the housing, as shown at 51 in Fig. 1. The device may be supported with the member 56 resting on some support, such, for example, as a table or desk, or it could be held in the operators hand, with the thumb or fingers under the member 56 and the fingers or thumb on top of the operating lever 8. Then, by depressing the forward end of the lever 8 the housing is first swung downwardly about the pivot 50 to the dot-and-dash line position of Fig. 1, bringing the lower edge of the forward part of the housing and the under edge of the staple guide bar 15 against the top of the work, as indicated by the dot-and-dash lines of Fig. 1. Then further depression of the lever B to the dotted line position of this figure will depress the staple driver 28 to force the forward staple 25w. downwardly and to drive the prongs of this staple through the work, and by pressure of the free ends of the prongs against the recesses 58 of the anvil to clinch these prongs on the under side of the work. When the lever B is released the spring 33 will retract the staple driver 28 up wardly and shift it to its upper position of Fig. l. carrying with it the lever B. At the same time the spring 62 will swing the casing upwardly, or member 56 downwardly, about the pivot 60 to separate the lower edge of the casing and the member 56 for insertion of work for the next stapling operation.

The device is shown in the drawings on an enlarged scale of about twice the size intended to be made, but of course it is not limited to any given size but may be made of any size desired. The compact arrangement permits the assembly in a very small construction, in fact no larger than the standard type cigarette lighter, so that it may be readily carried in the vest pocket or in the handbag or the like; but of course the mechanism involved may be used in larger scale constructions if desired. It will be seen the novel staple feed mechanism permits the shifting of 6;: this mechanism, andpa'rticularly the follower, to an'inoperative position away from the staple guide. without removing anything from the machine or disconnecting anything from it. This simplifies the operation of reloading the machine and obviates the possibility of losing or misplacing any of the parts. It is a very simple device and is particularly adaptable for making temporary repairs to garments, such, for example, as-

slip straps, hems, garters and so forth, or pinning on flowers for decorations and similar uses. It is also very practical for students for clipping notes and other papers, or for salesmen in clipping together reports, memos, orders and the.-

like. It is also very handy for housewives for clipping together bills, recipes and memos, and doctors may employ it for connecting bandages, papers and so forth. It may be made of all steel construction, or of other materials, as found practical or desirable.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

l. A staple driving machine comprising a housins including a pair of substantially rectangular casings each comprising spaced upright side walls and a connecting upright end wall, said casings being nested with their respective side walls overlapping and their upright end walls respectively forming the front and rear walls of a substantially rectangular housing, the front wall being spaced from the forward edges of the side walls of the inner casing to provide a guideway, a staple driver mounted to slide in the guideway, a staple guide mounted in the lower part of the housing with its forward end at one side of the guideway, means for feeding staples along the guide to the guideway to a driving position under driver, and means for depressing the driver drive a staple.

2. A staple driving machine comprising a substantially rectangular housing including spaced upright side walls, means at the forward end of the housing forming a guideway, a staple driver mounted to slide in the guideway, a guide mounted in the lower part of the housing with its forward end at one side of the guideway below the lower end of the driver, means for feeding staples along the guide to driving position under the driver, means for depressing the driver todrive a staple comprising a lever forming a top wall for the housing resting on top of the driver at its forward end and pivoted to the rear upper part of the housing, a spring mounted in the housing including a forwardly extending arm connected to the driver and tending to lift it and the lever to their upper positions, an anvil support under the housing pivoted to the rear portion thereof, an anvil mounted in the support in alignment with the driver to set the staple prongs, and a spring tending to hold the forward end of said support and anvil spaced from the lower edge of the housing.

3. A hand stapler of the character described comprising a substantially rectangular housing, a staple guide mounted in the lower part of the housing, a staple driver mounted for up and down movement in the forward part of the housing in position to drive a staple at the forward end of the guide, an anvil support pivoted to the housing at the rear lower side thereof, an anvil mounted in said support in alignment with the lower end of the driver to cooperate therewith to set a staple, a spring tending to swing the free end of the support and the anvil away from the housing, an operating lever pivoted to the rear portion of the housing at the top thereof and engaging the driver, a spring in the housing tending to shift the driver and lever to said upper positions; and said lever and support respectively forming the top and bottom of the stapler and arranged to be pressed toward each other in a hand of the operator by a finger grip on top of the lever and under the support to depress the driver to set a staple.

ROY E. PETERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Pankonin June 2, 1936 Bunnell July 20, 1937 MacDonald May 28, 1940 Skrebba June 10, 1941 Crosby Aug. 12, 1941 Crosby Aug. 12, 1941 Attula Dec. 30, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Aug. 6, 1918 Germany Oct. 13, 1932 

